Twins' Trials

Chapter 11

The night wore on, and the manor was bathed in the soft, comforting light of the moon. Sirius, finally settled into a semblance of rest, had drifted back to sleep with his father and brother by his side. Regulus, however, was not as fortunate. He lay in bed, the familiar discomfort of nausea returning, coupled with the restless movements of his own baby.

Regulus shifted carefully, trying not to disturb Sirius, who was finally finding some peace. He let out a soft groan, his hand moving to rest on his stomach. The child within him was kicking, making his discomfort even more pronounced. He turned his head towards Orion, who was still seated quietly in the chair near the bed.

"Father," Regulus whispered softly, his voice strained but gentle. He wanted to avoid waking Sirius again, who had just found a moment of respite. "I think my labor might be starting."

Orion, ever attentive, lifted his head at the sound of Regulus’s voice. His gaze was immediately filled with concern as he took in Regulus’s discomfort. "Are you sure, Regulus?" he asked softly, his voice filled with both concern and reassurance. "Do you want me to help you get more comfortable?"

Regulus frowned, his face showing the strain of his condition. He shifted slowly, trying to find a position that would ease the nausea and the sharp kicks from the baby. "I’m feeling nauseous again," he said quietly, his voice trembling slightly. "And the baby’s moving a lot."

Orion stood up and approached Regulus’s side with careful steps. He placed a gentle hand on Regulus’s shoulder, his touch meant to comfort rather than to disturb. "Alright, let’s get you settled," he said softly. He helped Regulus adjust his position, trying to make him more comfortable without causing too much disruption.

As Orion worked to help Regulus, he noticed the intensity of the kicks, the way they seemed to ripple through Regulus’s body. He understood that this was a sign that things might be progressing, and he knew he needed to be vigilant. Orion’s hand moved to rest gently on Regulus’s stomach, applying a soothing pressure to help ease the movements of the baby.

Regulus closed his eyes, focusing on the calming touch of his father. The discomfort was still there, but Orion’s presence was a steadying force. He took slow, deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart and the churn in his stomach.

"It’s going to be alright," Orion said softly, his voice steady and soothing. "We’ll take it one step at a time. If your labor is starting, we’ll handle it together."

Regulus nodded, his eyes fluttering open to look at his father. Despite the discomfort, he felt a measure of relief knowing that Orion was there with him. "Thanks, Dad," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude.

Orion gave a reassuring smile, though his own face was marked by concern. "Just try to rest as much as you can. If the contractions start, we’ll make sure everything is in place to handle it."

With that, Orion helped Regulus adjust the blankets around him, tucking them in snugly to provide some comfort. He kept a watchful eye on both of his children, ready to step in as needed while ensuring that Sirius remained undisturbed.

As the night wore on, the gentle sounds of Regulus’s breathing and the occasional shift of the bed were the only indications of the quiet turmoil of the night. Orion remained by his side, his presence a constant reassurance as they faced the uncertainties of the night together.